Water closet flushing mechanism



Sept. 11, 1956 L. B. JAHN WATER CLOSET FLUSHING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FilEd D80. 16, .1954

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Sept. 11, 1956 s. JAHN 2,752,060

WATER CLOSET FLUSHING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 16, 19544 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 x x x FIG.4.' I9

United States Patent 2,762,060 Patented Sept. 11, 1955 ice 2,762,060 WA'IER CLOSET FLUsmNG MECHANISM Leroy B. Jahn, Montevideo, Minn. Application December 16, 1954, Serial No. 475,719 17 Claims. (Cl. 4-41) This invention relates to water closets and more particularly to improvements in the flushing mechanism therefor, and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 287,380, filed May 12, 1952, and of my application Serial No. 766,984, filed August 7, 1947, now abandoned, both of which are entitled Water Closet Flushing Mechanism.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved flushing mechanism of the tilting tank type, and that has greater versatility in use and efiiciency in operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide a flushing mechanism capable of various types of flushing operations.

It is still another object of the invention to provide means for improving the control and regulation of the tilting of the tank in a tilting tank flushing apparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved flush valve mechanism for Water closet flushing mechanism.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts through the several figures and in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view taken vertically through a water closet containing a tiltable flush tank and flush mechanism according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure l with the covers of the water closet and flush tank removed;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figure 1, showing the flush valve in open position;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figures 1 and 3, showing the tank in tilted position with the flush valve closed and the tank partially refilled;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, similar to Figures 1, 3 and 4, showing the tank tilted and the flush valve open according to the present invention;

Figure 6 is a view in elevation of the fiush control mechanism according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view corresponding to line 77 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view, with parts omitted for better illustration, corresponding to line 88 of Figure l, and

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the flush tank and cover according to the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, specifically to Fig. 1, the present invention is broadly concerned with flushing mechanism of the type disclosed in copending application Serial No. 287,380, filed May 12, 1952. Briefly, this mechanism comprises a fiush tank 1 formed of insulating material such as thermoplastic, and is tiltably mounted in a water closet W by means of off-center fulcrum points 2, supported by the centrally located flush outlet fitting 3, in cooperation with off-center sockets 4 on the bottom of the tank 1 and forming a fulcrum for the tank. This fulcrum off-center part is immediately adjacent the centrally located flush outlet of the fitting 3 and the centrally located flush valve assembly 5 in the bottom of the tank so that the flush openings thereof remain in substantially vertical alignment when the tank is in either horizontal or tilted positions.

The flush valve 6 of the valve assembly 5, is connected by a connection 7 with the customary type of linkage 8 to the usual bell crank trip lever 9 that terminates outside of the water closet W in the usual manually operable flush handle 10. The valve is supported by a lever 11 that is mounted on a pivot 12, the opposite end of the valve lever 11 having a slot 16 surrounding a lock lever 13 which is mounted on a pivot 14. The lock lever 13 has a notch 15 which catches over the end of the valve lever 11 when the flush valve 6 is lifted by the handle 10 to lock the lever 11 and hold the valve 6 open to permit full flushing from the tank 1 through the flush opening of the assembly 5, as shown in Fig. 3.

The end of the lever 11 may be slotted, or as shown, it may be bifurcated, and the bifurcation 16 closed by a pin 17 so that the end of the lever 11 completely surrounds the lower end of the lock lever 13. A trigger rod 18 is connected to the upper end of the lock lever 13 and extends through an opening in the adjacent end of the tank 1 for abutment with the water closet W to trip the lock lever 13 and release the valve lever 11 to close the valve 6, upon the tilting of the tank 1 when the tank is flushed, as shown in Fig. 4.

An inlet valve 19 is secured to and supported by the water inlet pipe 20, of the water closet W, and has a control lever 21. A stop member 23 is secured to the overbalanced end 22 of the tank to limit the movement of the tank and carry the weight of the filled tank. The stop member 23 limits the movement of the over-balanced end 22 of the tank to give this end a predetermined elevation over the opposite free end 27 of the tank. An inlet pipe 24 extends downwardly from the outlet of the valve 19 and has a plurality of lateral outlet openings 44 in its lower end.

An adjustable stop member 26 is secured to the free end 27 of the tank 1 for limiting the tilting of the tank and thereby governs the balance of the tank to control the amount of water admitted through the inlet valve 19 for each flushing operation. The trigger rod 18 may be adjusted in accordance with the adjustment of the stop member 26 by means of a pivot portion 41 connected with the lock lever 13 and threadedly receiving the rod 18 which is secured by a lock nut 41). The end 27 of the tank 1 is inclined inwardly so that it is substantially parallel with the adjacent end of the water closet when tilted into the position shown in Fig. 4.

As the tank 1 is formed of a plastic material it is provided with properly located apertured bosses 28, 28' on its side walls for supporting the pivots 12, 14 and a spacer 14', as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. In order to provide a connection with the inlet valve 19, a lever 29 is mounted on the pivot 14, one end of said lever being connected by a link 30 with the flush valve lever 11 and the other end of said lever 29 being connected by a link 31 with the inlet valve control lever 21 so that the weight of this connection is located beyond the fulcrum means toward the free end 27 of the tank 1. Thus, the inlet valve 19 is operated by the tilting of the tank 1, and when the tank fills sufiiciently to overbalance the tank, the inlet valve 19 is closed.

In addition, a link 32 is connected to the flush valve lever 11 and has a slot 33 surrounding the pivot 14. The slotted end of the link 32 cooperates with the pivot 14 to limitthe upward movement of the flush valve and the bell-crank 9, as shown in Fig. 3, for preventing the bell-crank from striking the top of the tank W. The links 30 and 31 are adjustable, as by means of turnbuckles 38 or the like, to provide the proper relationship between the levers 11, 29 and 21 and link 32, as well as to regulate the stroke of the control lever 21 and the operation of the valve 19.

The formation of the tank from a thermoplastic material enables the integral formation of an elevated flush valve seat 37 with the tank and such a seat is advantageous because the material has a smooth surface that is not subject to pitting or corrosion. A flush opening is formed in the bottom and centrally of the length of the tank, and the periphery of this opening is bent on the upper or inner side of the tank bottom to form a smooth, rounded, elevated flush valve seat 37. Due to the elevation of the seat 37, it acts as a dam to trap a small amount of water in the bottom of the tank which will promote the tilting of the tank after the bulk of the water is flushed therefrom.

The tank 1 is provided with a cover 145, best shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 9, which has a main portion 146 that fits inside the top of the tank 1. Extending around the edges of the portion 146 is a fitted L-shaped flange 147 which engages and seals the top rim of the tank. Integral and extending outwardly from the edge of the flange 147 is an inclined flange 148. The flange 148 is adapted to be slightly spaced from the inner surface of the water closet W. Thus, when the cover 145 is in place on the rim of the tank 1, it will prevent paper, rags or any foreign matter of a contaminated nature from getting into the tank or the water closet and which would prevent proper functioning'of the mechanism.

Integral with the bottom surface of portion 146 and extending beyond one end thereof is a lug 149 that fits under the inner rim at the top of the tank and prevents the cover from being lifted up by water pressure accumulating within the tank during the filling process. The portion 146 is provided with elongated slots 165, 166 and 167. Elongated slot 165 is provided for the movement of the upper end of the link 31 which is connected with lever 21 of the supply valve during the opening and closing of the valve by the tilting of the tank. Slot 166 is provided for the supply valve refill tube 24 to extend downward into the tank and allow the free tilting of the tank with no obstruction from the cover. Elongated slot 167 is provided for the operation of the link 8 connected between the flush valve 6 and the trip lever 9. I

In operation, the tank 1 normally is filled with Water, usually in the neighborhood of the Water level L, as shown in Fig. 1, wherein the tank is in a substantially horizontal position, resting on the stop 23. Upon actuation of the flush handle 10, the bell-crank 9 is raised, lifting the link 8 and flush valve 6 which is positively guided in this movement by the lever 11. As the lever 11 is swung about its pivot 12, the lock lever 13 gravitates toward the lock position. If for any reason the lever 13 is retarded in its movement, the cross pin 17 on the end of the lever 11 will cam the lever 13 to lock position wherein the notch of the lock lever 13 overlies the end of the lever 11 and locks the valve 6 in open position, as shown in Fig. 3.

Upon lifting of the flush valve lever 11, by the flushing operation, the link 30 is lifted, swinging the lever 29 to pull down on the link 31 which, in turn, pulls down the inlet valve control lever 21 and opens the inlet valve 10 so that Water is discharged through the inlet pipe 24 into the tank 1. Thus, as soon as the flushing operation is initiated, the inlet valve is :opened to supply additional flushing water. Opening the inlet valve while the flush valve is open provides about per cent more water during each flushing operation. Accordingly, a tank of smaller proportions can be installed within thewater closet tank and still provide suflicient water for the fiushing operation.

As soon as the flush valve 6 is opened, the water in the tank 1 flushes through the flush opening and through the outlet of the fitting 3. When the tank is empty, ex-' cept for the small quantity trapped by the flush valve seat 37 and the slight elevation of the overbalanced end 22, the trapped water fills the lower end of the tank to about the water level L, as shown in Fig. 3. .The weight of this trapped water combined with that of the various parts carried by the pivots 12 and 14'causes the tank to tilt. As soon as the tank starts to tilt, the small amount of trapped water rushes to the lower end of the tank to impose additional weight and momentum on the tank.

engagement with the end of the water closet W, and swings the lock lever 13 to release the valve lever, 11 and permit the flush valve 6 to close the flush valve assembly 5, as shown in Fig. 4. Due to the tilting of the tank 1, the pivot 14 is moved downwardly and lowers the lever 29, which, even though it is swung back to normal position by the closing of the flush valve, pulls down on the link 31-and the control lever 21 to hold open the inlet valve 19 and admit a fresh supplyof water into the tank 1. When the tank is properly filled, depending upon the balance of the tank as regulated by the adjustable stop 26, the tank is then tilted back to horizontal position by the weight of the water, whereupon the pivot 14, lever 29 and link 31 are raised, which lifts the valve control lever 21 and closes the inlet valve The present invention resides in specific improvements to certain elements and in the organization of the ele ments in a flushing mechanism of the hereinbefore described type, but obviously the mechanism may be varied to a considerable, extent with the exception of the elements with which the present invention is specifically concerned. One of the primary improvements according to the present invention resides in an organization which enables various types of flushing operations for water saving purposes.

To provide various types of flushingvoperations, the control mechanism "is provided with a dual control-system. This system in addition to the handle 10, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, includes an auxiliary handle 50 coaxially mounted with but. angularly displaced from the handle 10 and in fixed relation with a crank arm 51 that is connected with a link element 52 which, in turn, is connected with the tank 1 by means of a lateral branch 53 (Figs. 2 and 8) which extends. under the tank and a ring 54 that freely surrounds the stop member 23 on the bottom of the tank.

As best shown in Fig. 7 the auxiliary handle 50 is fixed with a sleeve 55 journalled in an opening through the wall of the water closet W. The sleeve 55 terminates in a threaded portion 56 and at the juncture with the threaded portion has a bearing portion 57 including a key 58.. The crank arm 51 is mounted on the bearing portion 57 and has a slot for nesting the key 58 to fix the crank arm 51 relative to the sleeve 55 and auxiliary handle 50. Nuts 59 are threaded on the portion 56 to secure the crank arm 51 in position.

The trip lever 9 terminates in a shaft 69 disposed at right angles to the lever.. The shaft 60 is journalled in the sleeve 55 and protrudes .therebeyond. The .fluslt handle 10 has a socket portion 61 fitting the protruding end of the shaft 60 andthe socket 61 and shaft 69' are secured together by a pi n 62. Thus, the handle l lkshaft 60 and trip lever 9 are free to move independently of the auxiliary handle 50. Conversely, the auxiliary handle 50, sleeve 55 and crank 51 are free to move independently of the handle 10. The freedom of movement of the auxil- When the tank tilts, the trigger rod 18 is moved, by

iary handle 50 is limited, however as this handle is provided with a wing or abutment 56 which lies in the path of the handle and engages the latter after a limited movement of the auxiliary handle.

The actuation of the handle 10 only opens the fiush valve 6 as previously described and permits a full flushing operation. Actuation of the auxiliary handle 50 enables a variable flushing operation as will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. When the auxiliary handle 50 is pivoted, the crank arm 51 is swung upwardly which lifts the link element 52 and the latter, by its branch 53 and ring 54, raises the end 22 of the tank 1 and tilts the tank so that trigger rod 18 engages the water clos et W and moves the lock lever 13 to release position.

During the movement of the handle 50, the wing 50' engages the flush handle 10 which is then actuated to open the flush valve 6. As the lock lever 13 is held in release position, however, the valve lever 11 is not engaged by the lock lever 13 so that the valve 6 is retained in open position only as long as the handle 10 is manually retained in open position. Release of the handle 10 permits immediate closing of the flush valve 6 so that only a limited amount of water will be discharged or flushed, as desired. Obviously, even if the flush valve 6 is locked in open position for a full flushing operation, the auxiliary handle 5i} may be operated to tilt the tank 1 and release the fiush valve so as to terminate the flushing operation at any time.

In the event of a selective flushing operation by use of the auxiliary handle 50, the water retained in the tank may slosh back and forth in the tank, so that the tank might be caused to tilt back to horizontal position before it is completely refilled and before the trap filling water is discharged. To prevent possible premature tilting of the tank, an auxiliary trap 65' is provided on the end 27 of the tank 1 adjacent the top of the tank and extending above the normal water line L in the tank.

This auxiliary trap 65' comprises a pocket across the end 27 of the tank and which will trap the necessary amount of water to retain the tank in tilted position until the tank is properly refilled. if this trapped water were retained during a full flushing operation however, it would cause premature tilting of the tank before the water was fully flushed. To prevent premature tilting of the tank, a siphon tube 66 is mounted over the edge of the trap 65 and retained by a keeper boss 67 on the tank wall. Thus, as the tank empties during a full flushing operation, the major portion of the water in the trap 65 is automatically siphoned out, as illustrated in Fig. 3.

As the tank is filled, it is desirable to simultaneously refill the trap 65 as otherwise it would form an air pocket that would lighten the overbalanced end of the tank and permit premature tilting of the tank back to normal inlet valve closing position before the filling operation is properly completed. Therefore, the trap 65 is provided with an inlet opening 68 adjacent its bottom and this opening is controlled by a fiat valve 69 that is hooked over and pivoted on the upper edge of the trap. Consequently, as the tank is filled, when the water level reaches the opening 58, the water will force open the flap valve 5% and enter the trap 65, as shown in Fig. 4.

As previously stated, when the tank is tilted while it is at least partially full the water slosh-es back and forth to a considerable extent. To inhibit this action of the water, a baffle 7% is mounted in an upright position intermediate the length of the tank 1. This bafile, preferably also made of thermoplastic, may conveniently be removably mounted and for this purpose it is provided with a pair of hook portions 71 for hooking over the spacer rod 14' and the tank 1 is provided with a pair of lugs 72 on each side as shown in Fig. 8, for receiving the lower corners of the bathe 70. One of more bafie fins 73 are fixed more or less perpendicularly on the baffle 76 to inhibit heaving of the water and the bottom edge of the rovided with a notch or recess '74 to permit free flow of a limited amount of water and prevent trapping any water on either side of the bafile.

Another improvement according to the present inven tion resides in the connection with and support of the flush valve 6. Rather than lifting the valve from its cen ter in opposition to the weight of the water and suction from the outlet opening, according to the present invention, the connection 7 between the valve 6 and lift link 8 is adjacent the periphery of the valve. As the valve is relatively thin, flat and flexible, the pull of the link 3 initially lifts the edge of the valve to break any suction and start the flow of water. Immediately upon the lifting of the valve edge, the flow and pressure of the water then assists in opening the valve.

Moreover, to facilitate angulation of the valve during the opening operation, the valve 6 has a loose connection 75 with the lever 11 which permits slight angular swinging of the valve relative to the lever. To limit the movement of the valve 6 relative to the lever 11 to angular movement more or less in the plane of the lever, the lever 11 is provided with a curved guide slot 76 spaced from the connection 75 and the valve 6 is provided with an upstanding curved guide member 77 diametrically opposite the connection 7 and extending through the slot 76. Conveniently, the valve 6 may be provided with diametrically disposed bosses 78 having embedded threaded brass sockets for receiving the connection 7 and guide member 77.

Another improvement according to the present invention resides in the arrangement of the tank cover 145, which, in the present instance, is provided in two sections a and 145b and, except for the slots in the portions 146, completely covers the tank l. The cover section 145a is provided with a lug 15 3, similar to the lug 14? on the cover section 145]), which hooks under the rim of the tank 1 at the end 22. In addition, the section 145a is provided with a lug 151 which extends under the section 145b. With this arrangement, the slots 165, 166 and 167 conveniently extend to the abutting edges of the cover sections and the slots and 166 are disposed in alignment so as to define one continuous slot.

The plane of the top of the tank 1 is at an angle to the plane of the bottom of the tank and this angle is such that although the top is inclined upwardly from the end 22 to the end 27 of the tank when the bottom is substantially horizontal in normal position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the top is inclined downwardly from the end 22 to the end 27 when the tank is tilted to filling position as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. With the tank 1 closed by the cover 145, during the filling operation the water eventually reaches the cover which then forces the water toward the end 22 of the tank. By this arrangement, the water is forced toward the end of the tank rather rapidly so that the tank is overbalanced quickly and prevents possible teetering of the tank. Moreover, to provide the trap filling overflow, the tank 1 is provided with one or more run-off ports 88 in the end wall 22 adjacent the top thereof, two of these ports being shown in Fig. 8.

These run-off ports 80 have a predetermined combined area such as to allow a smaller volume of run-off water than the volume of incoming water admitted by the inlet valve 19. The area of the ports may be regulated in accordance with the fluctuation of water pressure, high or low, to insure proper operation of the tank when filling to the overbalancing point. The bottom edge of the port is predeterminedly spaced from the bottom of the tank so as to retain the proper amount of Water in the tank for full flushing capacity. The ports are also predeterminedly spaced below the top of the tank and cover to create a predetermined amount of water in the run-ofi to properly seal the trap after every flushing operation, regardless of a full or partial flush, to comply with sanitary requirements of the law and still not incur a waste of water.

Although a certain specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is obvious that many modifications thereof are possible. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in so far as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a flushing mechanism of the type wherein a flush tank is adapted to be tiltably mounted elf-center within a casing supporting an inlet valve and having a flush outlet and a manually operable flush lever mechanism, a flush valve for closing a flush opening through the tank into the casing, means for overbalancing the tank upon flushing the water therefrom, and control means for operative connection with the inlet valve to be operated by the tilting of the tank for filling the tank, the combination with said flush valve of means for connecting said flush valve with said flush lever mechanism to be operated thereby for directly opening said tank flush opening, means for locking said flush valve in open position upon actuation of said flush lever mechanism, means for releasing said flush valve locking means upon the overbalanced tilting of said tank when the water is flushed therefrom, and manually operable means for actuating said release means to selectively regulate the flushing operation. v

2. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 1, said manually operable means for actuating said release means comprising means for tilting said tank to release means actuating position.

3. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 2, said manually operable means for actuating said release means comprising an auxiliary lever journalled on said water closet, a crank arm fixed with said auxiliary handle, and a link element connected between said crank arm and said flush tank.

4. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 3, said manually operable flush lever mechanism comprising a hand lever journalled on said water closet coaxially with said auxiliary lever and angularly spaced therefrom but in the path thereof whereby said hand lever may be actuated individually or by engagement by said auxiliary lever.

5. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 1, means in the end of said tank that is overbalanced when the water is fully flushed therefrom for retaining said tank overbalanced after release of said latter manually operable means until the tank is fully refilled;

6. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim wherein said means in said tank comprises a water trap in the end of said tank that is overbalanced when the water is fully flushed therefrom.

7. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 5, said latter overbalancing means including means for rendering the overbalancing means ineffective during a full flushing operation to prevent immature tilting of said tank.

8. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 7, means for refilling said trap during the refilling of said tank.

9. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 5 wherein said overbalancing means comprises a water trap in the end of said tank adjacent the top of said tank, siphon means extending from the lower part of said trap to a level in said tank below said trap for automatically withdrawing the Water from said trap during a full flushing operation, an opening in the lower portion of said trap for admitting water thereto during the filling operation. and a valve for said opening to admit water to said trap and prevent flowing of water from said trap.

10. In a flushing mechanism of the type wherein a flush tank is adapted to be tiltably mounted ofi-center 8 within a casing supporting an inlet valve and having a flush outlet and a manually operable flush lever mechanism, a flush valve for closing a flush opening through the tank into the casing, means for overbalancing the tank upon flushing the water therefrom, and control means for operative connection with the inlet valve to be operated by the tilting of the tank for filling the tank, the combination with said tank of an upright baflle in said tank to inhibit the surge of water upon tilting of said tank.

11. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 10 wherein said bafiie extends substantially the full height of said tank and has an opening in its lower portion to permit flow of Water past said bafiie during the filling and flushing of said tank.

ii. in a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 11 wherein said bafiie is removably mounted between the iiush outlet and the end of said tank that is overbalanced when the tank is full.

13. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 12 wherein said battle is provided with at least one bafile fin extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom for inhibiting heaving of water in said'tank.

14. in a flushing mechanism of the type wherein a flush tank is adapted to be tiltably mounted ofi-center within a casing in communication with a bowl having a trap with said tank supporting an inlet valve and having a flush outlet and a manually operable flush lever mecha: nism, a flush valve for closing a flush opening through the tank into the casing, means for overbalancing the tank upon flushing the water therefrom, and control means for operative connection with the inlet valve to be" operated by the tilting of the tank for filling the tank, the combination with said tank of a cover completely closing the top of said tank, said cover having slots therein for passage of said control means, and said tank having trap filling drain openings in the overbalanced end thereof adjacent the top of said tank.

15. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 14 wherein said cover consists of two sections, and lugs on said sections underlying each other and the end edges of said tank to retain said sections in position.

16. In a flushing mechanism of the type wherein a flush tank is adapted to be tiltably mounted off-center within a casin' supporting an inlet valve and having .a flush outlet and a manually operable flush lever mechanism, a flush valve for closing a flush opening through the tank into the casing, means for overbalancing the tank upon flushing the water therefrom, and control means for operative connection with the inlet valve to be operated by the tilting of the tank for filling the tank, the combination with said flush valve comprising a relatively flat disc and having means adjacent one edge for connection with said flush lever mechanism, and a lever pivotally mounted in said tank and connected with said flush valve at a point spaced from said connecting means for supporting and guiding said flush valve during its movement by said flush lever mechanism.

17. In a flushing mechanism as defined in claim 16 wherein the connection between said flush valve and lever is loose and permits angular movement therebetween, said lever having a passage therethrough, and a guide member on the edge portion of said flush valve substantially diametrically opposite said connecting means and extending through said passage to prevent pivotal movement of said flush valve relative to said lever.

McNeill NOV. 27, 1923 Wilson Aug. 6, 1935 

